Lost your job? Stay positive, donâ€™t give in to depression

Admin| Mar 21, 2017 - 11:46 PM
India

BENGALURU / NEW DELHI: Pink slips have left thousands of people battling the blues as the e­commerce boom has unravelled over the past few quarters, engulfing feted startups such as Flipkart, Snapdeal, YepMe and Craftsvilla.

It’s critical for such people not to give in to depression, although it is natural to feel a sense of rejection after being laid off, experts told ET.

While investments in startups dropped to $1.4 billion in 2016 from a high of $2 billion in the previous year, according to data aggregator Venture Intelligence, the downturn has affected sectors such as banking, nfrastructure and information technology as well.

Those who have lost jobs should realise that they have been made redundant due to business conditions more than their performance, said Rohit Sandal, human resources director at Lenovo. “It’s unfortunate, but layoffs are simply a way of corporate life now. So, maintain a positive outlook and think about what you want to do,” he said.

USE THE TIME TO VOLUNTEER One such person, who did not wish to be identified, decided to volunteer at an old­age home instead of immediately looking for another job after she was laid off from an IT multinational.

“Choosing a cause that really matters, and devoting time and effort to that, can make all the difference to a future recruiter, besides putting your problem into perspective,” said Vasudevan Narasimha, executive director­HR at KEC International.

GET YOUR FINANCES SORTED Delhi­-based clinical psychologist Aruna Broota saw the problem at close quarters as 700 people were made redundant at a firm where she consults. “Their basic worry was what to tell their families. It’s essential to have financial planning in place for any eventuality,” she said.

Babu Vittal, HR head at ShopClues, said employees should save enough to cover expenses for at least three months in case they lose their jobs.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH De­stressing exercises can be helpful for people seeking to come to grips with a layoff, said Ekta Soni, consulting psychologist at Delhi’s Indraprastha Apollo Hospital.

Yoga and meditation have an especially calming influence, experts said, stressing that mental well­being is as important as physical wellbeing.

EMBRACE THE NEW The complex nature of the contemporary business environment is bound to enhance the need for individuals to stay ahead of the curve in terms of skills and learning, said Richard Lobo, HR head at Infosys. “We are seeing a shift towards shorter and multi­-dimensional careers across industries. Finding yourself involuntarily out of work can happen, but the right attitude and willingness to take risks can be key differentiators,” said Lobo.

So people can use the time between jobs to try something new and to focus on upskilling themselves. Massive open online courses or MOOCs, which have democratised learning, can be especially helpful in this regard.

Somnath Baishya, HR head at Intuit India, said he has seen many of those affected by layoffs to completely reimagine and reinvent themselves. “This probably would not have been a reality without the disrupting experience. An alternative talent or passion which remained dormant earlier blossoms out,” he said.

FOCUS ON NETWORKING Networking is crucial. Keeping an eye out for networking programmes and building some new professional connections will help when it’s time to return to work. ShopClues’ Vittal said the market is flooded with CVs during a downturn and chances of securing an ideal job will be limited. “Approach people you know who have started their own ventures and gain experience and contacts. You will have learnt something in the process,” he said.

STAY POSITIVE The situation is only set to improve, said Francis Padamadan, country director of KellyOCG India. “According to our Q1 Global Talent Market Quarterly, unemployment rates in India are expected to fall from 8.6% in 2017 to 7.7% in 2020, and the GDP is expected to rise from 7.1% to 7.7%. Those who’ve been laid off should stay positive and prepare their skills for tomorrow,” he said.

Finally, when it’s time to return to work, be honest with your interviewer about being laid off. It’s important to be upright, said Lenovo’s Sandal.